*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for an Izumo kurogaki chasaji tea scoop made by Okaya Mokugei workshop located in Shimane Prefecture.   It is hand-carved and made of black persimmon wood with a lightly oiled finish.  The wood is sourced from Okuizumo, a mountain village with many persimmon trees.  These trees were planted along slopes that weren’t suitable for paddy fields, and some are hundreds of years old.  Occasionally older trees are damaged or felled during typhoons, but very few of these contain black wood.  Black persimmon wood is dense and ideal for crafting items such as furniture and kitchen utensils, but it’s very hard to come by.  Artisans in Japan will tell you that for every ten thousand trees you may only find one that is suitable for carving. 

Okaya Mokugei is a specialist wood workshop located in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.  It was founded in 1952 as Okaya Lumber Shop, laying the foundation for current woodwork production.  In 1961 the third generation Oka Keikichi and fourth generation Oka Keikichiro began collecting and researching local wood products from the Edo, Meiji and Taisho periods as a basis for making wood crafts.  In 1970 they changed their name to Okaya Wood Art, and in 1980 the fifth generation Oka Eiji began promoting creative wood art and began production activities.  In 1985 they opened a specialty craft store with gallery space, and began exhibiting their pieces at exhibitions for contemporary artists.  They also began entering special crafts exhibitions and art competitions.  In 1986 their work was selected for the Japan Craft Exhibition, and in 1987 they received the Shimane Prefecture Outstanding Traditional Skills Award.  In 1988 they began exhibiting at the Japan Craft Centre, and in 1992 they received the Shimane Prefecture Outstanding Skilled Worker Award.  In 1994 they launched the production of handmade chestnut furniture, and in 1995 the received the Sanin Living Crafts Exhibition Encouragement Award, as well as the Hikawa Town Outstanding Crafts Award.  In 2004 they donated a black persimmon suzuri-bako to the Heisei Emperor, and in 2007 they completed restoration of an old kominka and opened ‘Kurinoya’ gallery.  In 2008 they received the Shimane Prefecture Excellent Skilled Worker Award, and in 2010 the Crown Prince visited Shimane Prefecture and visited their gallery.  They received the Shimane Prefecture Excellent Skilled Worker Award the same year.  In 2011 they launched their Kurinosha brand of hand crafted items, and received the Shimane Prefecture Excellent Skilled Worker Award.  In 2012 they launched their prestigious Izumo Kurogaki brand, and in 2019 they received the Izumo brand certification from Izumo city.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.                                                                                                                                   

Size

L.8.7cm (3.4”) x W.3.7cm (1.4”)                                                                                               

Condition

It’s in excellent condition and is an unused item.                                                                  

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail  Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.